A Detailed Guide to Caladium Cultivation, Sharing the Latest Care Tips
Caladium is also known as five-color taro, colored-leaf taro, two-color taro, etc. It is a perennial evergreen herbaceous plant of the genus Caladium in the Araceae family. Its leaves are beautiful in color and it has very many varieties. It is suitable for greenhouse cultivation and ornamental viewing. Summer is the main ornamental period for caladium, and the variegated colors of the leaves are full of coolness. Now let us take a look together at how to cultivate caladium!
The Growing Environment of Caladium
Caladium is native to the Amazon River basin in South America. It likes high temperatures, high humidity, and a semi-shaded environment, is not tolerant of low temperatures, frost, or snow, and requires loose, fertile soil with good drainage. The suitable temperature is 20-30°C. The suitable temperature during the growing period from June to October is 21-27°C, and the suitable temperature during the dormant period from October to June of the following year is 18-24°C. It should not go below 10°C at night, and 10°C should be maintained during the dormant period. It does not like strong light, with a shade level of 30-40%.
Propagation Methods of Caladium
Caladium can be propagated by division or by separating corms. Division can be done throughout the year, but it is best to separate the corms after the winter dormancy and before the leaves sprout in spring. Cut off the small corms growing around the mother corm with a blade, dry them in the shade for 1 day, and then plant them. The mother corm can also be cut into pieces, each with a bud eye, dried in the shade for 1 day, and then planted. The cut surface should be smooth, which helps the wound heal and produce roots and seedlings.
Cultivation Methods of Caladium
1. Soil: Caladium likes clayey soil, and is mostly prepared by mixing five parts clayey field soil, two parts leaf mold, and three parts sand.
2. Light: Caladium likes sunlight, but not excessively strong light. If the light is insufficient, the leaf variegation becomes dull, and the leaves become leggy and appear weak.
3. Watering: Caladium likes moisture and needs large amounts of watering in spring and summer.
4. Temperature: Caladium is not cold-tolerant. The suitable growing temperature is 25-30°C, and it should not be lower than 15°C. At 22°C, the tubers sprout and grow leaves, and when it drops to 12°C, the leaves turn yellow and wither.
5. Fertilization: During the growing period, fertilize caladium once a week, applying nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium in combination, with nitrogen fertilizer as the main component.